Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) serves as the primary liaison between USDA and the U.S. Congress.
Mission
The mission of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations is to serve as the Department’s liaison with Members of Congress and their staffs. OCR works closely with members and staffs of various House and Senate Committees, including the House Agriculture Committee and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, to communicate USDA's legislative agenda and budget proposals. This involves facilitating communication, ensuring that legislative objectives are met, and providing Congress with the necessary information and support to understand and legislate on agricultural issues.[](https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/staff-offices/office-congressional-relations-ocr)
Parent organization
The parent organization of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Legislation authorizing creation
The creation of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations was not explicitly detailed by a specific piece of legislation in the provided sources. However, its functions are embedded within the broader legislative mandates of USDA, particularly under the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 which restructured various positions and offices within USDA.
Number of employees
The exact number of employees in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations is not specified in the provided sources.
Last total enacted budget
The last total enacted budget for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations is not publicly detailed in the available sources.
Leader's title
The title of the leader of this office is "Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations."
Services provided
The Office of Congressional Relations provides services such as coordinating USDA's legislative strategy, preparing testimony for congressional hearings, responding to congressional inquiries, providing briefings and information on USDA programs, and facilitating the legislative process for agriculture-related bills. OCR also assists in the development of legislative language, tracks legislation, and maintains ongoing communication with congressional offices to ensure that USDA's legislative priorities are understood and supported.[](https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/staff-offices/office-congressional-relations-ocr)
Regulations overseen
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations does not directly oversee regulations; rather, it focuses on legislative affairs. It ensures that the department's regulatory actions are communicated effectively to Congress, explaining the rationale behind regulations, their impact, and helping to manage any legislative responses or adjustments to these regulations. This office plays a key role in the legislative review of USDA’s regulatory proposals.
Headquarters address
The headquarters address for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations is part of the USDA's main offices, located at: 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250, USA
Website
The main USDA website is [1](https://www.usda.gov), but there isn't a specific website dedicated solely to this office.
Wikipedia article title
There isn't a specific Wikipedia article titled for this office; however, you might find information under the broader "United States Department of Agriculture" article title.